Constituents of Quercus eduardii leaf infusion: Their interaction with gut microbiota communities and therapeutic role in colorectal cancer.

The infusion of Q. eduardii leaves has been used ancestrally for medicinal purposes. We investigated the effect of Q. eduardii infusion intake on inflammatory and oncogenic biomarkers in animals induced to have colorectal cancer with DMH. We also investigated its influence on the microbiota, establishing the main microbial metabolites in the intestinal content of the experimental animals. The microbial metabolites associated with greater anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activity were 3́-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (3HPA) and €-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) prop-2-enoic acid (TMCA). Finally, the intake of the Q. eduardii infusion significantly increased the abundance of the Erysipelotrichaceae and Lachnospiraceae families, that seems to have a great influence on the antitumor responses detected in the study.post-print4648 K

Heterochromatin characterization and ribosomal gene location in two monotypic genera of bloodsucker bugs (Cimicidae, Heteroptera) with holokinetic chromosomes and achiasmatic male meiosis

Abstract Members of the family Cimicidae (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha) are temporary bloodsuckers on birds and bats as primary hosts and humans as secondary hosts. Acanthocrios furnarii (2n = 12 = 10 + XY, male) and Psitticimex uritui (2n = 31 = 28 + X 1 X 2 Y, male) are two monotypic genera of the subfamily Haematosiphoninae, which have achiasmatic male meiosis of collochore type. Here, we examined chromatin organization and constitution of cimicid holokinetic chromosomes by determining the amount, composition and distribution of constitutive heterochromatin, and number and location of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) in both species. Results showed that these two bloodsucker bugs possess high heterochromatin content and have an achiasmatic male meiosis, in which three regions can be differentiated in each autosomal bivalent: (i) terminal heterochromatic regions in repulsion; (ii) a central region, where the homologous chromosomes are located parallel but without contact between them; and (iii) small areas within the central region, where collochores are detected. Acanthocrios furnarii presented a single NOR on an autosomal pair, whereas P. uritui presented two NORs, one on an autosomal pair and the other on a sex chromosome. All NORs were found to be associated with CMA 3 bright bands, indicating that the whole rDNA repeating unit is rich in G + C base pairs. Based on the variations in the diploid autosomal number, the presence of simple and multiple sex chromosome systems, and the number and location of 18S rDNA loci in the two Cimicidae species studied, we might infer that rDNA clusters and genome are highly dynamic among the representatives of this family

Cardiovascular effects of the essential oil from leaves of Eugenia sulcata in spontaneously hypertensive rats

ABSTRACT Eugenia sulcata, Spring ex Mart, Myrtaceae, was collected in Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park (RJ, Brazil). Leaves from this species were submitted to hydrodistillation in order to obtain the essential oil. Sesquiterpenes were the main group found (58.2%), and β-caryophyllene was the major constituent (24.6%). Effects of this essential oil on hemodynamic and cardiovascular parameters were evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar Kyoto rats. The essential oil significantly decreased the systolic (P<0.05) and diastolic (P<0.01) blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. It was also observed that the essential oil did not interfere with heart rate of rats. The present study reports for the first time the antihypertensive activity of the essential oil extracted from Eugenia sulcata leaves

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) for the treatment of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS

BACKGROUND: This study reports on clinical data from an 8-week open-label study of 20 HIV-seropositive individuals, diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (DSM-IV), who were treated with SAM-e (S-Adenosylmethionine). SAM-e may be a treatment alternative for the management of depression in a population reluctant to add another "pill" or another set of related side effects to an already complex highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen. METHODS: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess depressive symptomatology from 1,2,4,6 and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment with SAM-e. RESULTS: Data show a significant acute reduction in depressive symptomatology, as measured by both the HAM-D and the BDI instruments. CONCLUSIONS: SAM-e has a rapid effect evident as soon as week 1 (p < .001), with progressive decreases in depression symptom rating scores throughout the 8 week study

International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Probiotics.

Position statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) provides an objective and critical review of the mechanisms and use of probiotic supplementation to optimize the health, performance, and recovery of athletes. Based on the current available literature, the conclusions of the ISSN are as follows: 1)Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host (FAO/WHO).2)Probiotic administration has been linked to a multitude of health benefits, with gut and immune health being the most researched applications.3)Despite the existence of shared, core mechanisms for probiotic function, health benefits of probiotics are strain- and dose-dependent.4)Athletes have varying gut microbiota compositions that appear to reflect the activity level of the host in comparison to sedentary people, with the differences linked primarily to the volume of exercise and amount of protein consumption. Whether differences in gut microbiota composition affect probiotic efficacy is unknown.5)The main function of the gut is to digest food and absorb nutrients. In athletic populations, certain probiotics strains can increase absorption of key nutrients such as amino acids from protein, and affect the pharmacology and physiological properties of multiple food components.6)Immune depression in athletes worsens with excessive training load, psychological stress, disturbed sleep, and environmental extremes, all of which can contribute to an increased risk of respiratory tract infections. In certain situations, including exposure to crowds, foreign travel and poor hygiene at home, and training or competition venues, athletes' exposure to pathogens may be elevated leading to increased rates of infections. Approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut and probiotic supplementation has been shown to promote a healthy immune response. In an athletic population, specific probiotic strains can reduce the number of episodes, severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections.7)Intense, prolonged exercise, especially in the heat, has been shown to increase gut permeability which potentially can result in systemic toxemia. Specific probiotic strains can improve the integrity of the gut-barrier function in athletes.8)Administration of selected anti-inflammatory probiotic strains have been linked to improved recovery from muscle-damaging exercise.9)The minimal effective dose and method of administration (potency per serving, single vs. split dose, delivery form) of a specific probiotic strain depends on validation studies for this particular strain. Products that contain probiotics must include the genus, species, and strain of each live microorganism on its label as well as the total estimated quantity of each probiotic strain at the end of the product's shelf life, as measured by colony forming units (CFU) or live cells.10)Preclinical and early human research has shown potential probiotic benefits relevant to an athletic population that include improved body composition and lean body mass, normalizing age-related declines in testosterone levels, reductions in cortisol levels indicating improved responses to a physical or mental stressor, reduction of exercise-induced lactate, and increased neurotransmitter synthesis, cognition and mood. However, these potential benefits require validation in more rigorous human studies and in an athletic population

Osztrák - Magyar Monarchia : 3. katonai felmérés, 1:75000 (topográfiai térkép) (1869/1887)

Domborzat csíkozássalKözigazgatássalTelepülések vázlatos alaprajzbanSzelvényszám: Zone 16 Col. XXV.Schrift u. Gerippe v. ... Jersche ; Terrainschraffirung v. ... Julius Bress

Immunotoxicity of butyltins in Tunicates

This study was designed to investigate the effects of butyltins on yeast phagocytosis in vitro by haemocytes of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. This species has been reported to be very sensitive to organotins. Results show that, in analogy to reports on mammalian leukocyte re-activity, butyltins exert inhibitory effects on phagocytosis in a concentration-dependent manner, mainly by influencing cellular calcium homeostasis by interacting with the calcium pump. As the immunosuppressant activity of organotins described in mammals and teleosteans also occurs in an invertebrate marine species, the latter may assume a role as a sensitive biosensor of butyltins as immunotoxins in aqueous ecosystems

Immunotoxicity of butyltins in Tunicates.

Butyltins, widely used as biocides mainly in antifouling paints and wood preservatives, cause deleterious effects on marine ecosystems, particularly on filtering invertebrates such as bivalve molluscs and tunicates. Colonial ascidians are reported to be very sensitive to butyltins so that mortality occurs after exposure at concentrations higher than 100 ng/L. Besides, di- and tributyltins have been shown to interfere with immune system of mammals, causing atrophy of the thymus and lymphoid tissues, and cytolysis of PMNs after inhibition of chemotaxis and respiratory burst, with resultant depression of cell mediated immune responses. We studied the in vitro effects of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT), respectively as mono-, di- and trichloride, on the yeast phagocytosis by hemocytes of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlosseri. A highly significant decrease of hemocyte viability (trypan blue test) was observed following an 1 hr exposure at concentrations higher than 100 µM for DBT and TBT, and 1 mM for MBT. Then the phagocytosis test was performed with the three compounds at 0.1, 1, 10 µM. The phagocytosis index was significantly reduced in the following order: DBT (1 µM), TBT (1 – 10 µM) and MBT (10 µM). The same order of inhibition was observed for Ca2+_ATPase activity. These results suggest that the inhibition of phagocytosis may be linked strictly with inhibition of Ca2+-ATase. TBT effects were thus compared with those induced by ouabain, as reference enzyme inhibitor, at a non lethal concentration (10 mM). A combined response of summation or additive effect of TBT and ouabain was demonstrated by means of cross-experiments with isodynamic mixtures, suggesting a common mechanism of action. These results were confirmed by cytochemistry of Ca2+, since the accumulation of the ion was directly proportional to inhibition of Ca2+-ATPase. Some morphological changes occurred, but without cytolysis. All these results suggest that the organotins interact with calcium pump, probably through calcium channels and calmodulin as demonstrated in mammals. As TBT is also known to inhibit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) was tested as reference enzyme inhibitor at a sublethal concentration (0.1 mM). A combined response of incomplete summation or less than additive effect was demonstrated by means f cross-experiments with isodynamic mixtures of TBT and DNP, suggesting a secondary and/or indirect mechanism of action